Spring has officially sprung as fog rolls over the New York area. De-fog your diet by snacking on these top five picks:

1. Sugar Snap Peas: Fresh and crunchy these ohhh so sweet snap peas will allow you to snack, guilt-free. Throw some of these high-fiber bites into a zip lock baggie for a perfect on-the-go snack!

2. Carrots: Much on these for a snack high in antioxidants and low in calories. Carrots make a great spring snack…just don’t forget to save some for the Easter bunny!

3. Okra: I hope you’ve heard of this little veggie-like fruit. If not, pick some up in the frozen food section of your local supermarket. Okra is a powerful fruit with anti-cancer and age defying effects you just can’t ignore!

4. Artichoke: So filling yet surprisingly low-cal, artichokes make a great family style spring snack. This potassium packed treat can be enjoyed with yummy low fat dips.

5. Strawberries: Juicy, sweet and irresistible, strawberries can actually help curb your appetite and fuel your metabolism…not to mention whiten your teeth! Indulge in these sweeties this spring and don’t hesitate to stick some in the freezer for a hard-candy-like treat.

March 17th: Everyone is in green, bagpipes are bursting with sound, and there’s no other way to celebrate the old patron saint of Ireland than by sippin’ on some frothy brew… If you want to celebrate your inner-Irish as guiltlessly as possible, check out beertutor.com’s list of the Top 100 Low Cal Beers.

Quinoa is the only natural grain which provides a complete source of protein. If this doesn’t sound exciting enough to you then you should be aware, protein is made up of amino acids- nine of which are essential. Not only is Quinoa a protein powerhouse (often used by body builders) but it is an absolute complete source of these amino acids. This stuff is great!

My favorite brand of Quinoa, Village Harvest, states “the ancient Incas knew that quinoa was the best source of plant protein on earth. We have rediscovered quinoa, because of its nutty flavor, chewy texture and all essential amino acids”.

The Low-Down:

Brand: Village Harvest Quinoa (Premium Whole Grain) Blue Bag

Nutrition: 1/4 Cup

160 Calories

27g Carbs

6g Protein

Contains: Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper

Cooking Instructions:

Rinse 1 cup quinoa until water runs clear.

Combine quinoa with two cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to low and simmer until water is completely absorbed, usually 25 minutes. The germ ring will be visible when the quinoa is fully cooked. Fluff with fork and serve.

Delicious Quinoa Salad Recipe:

Refrigerate Quinoa until it is cooled. Add in chopped onion, celery, parsley, and carrots to taste. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Enjoy.

Wonderful additions to the salad are grilled chicken or chopped avocado for veggies, like me! NB